Picture frame



April 21, 1964 L. E. HAYSLETT 3,129,524

PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 25, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 21, 1964 TT 3,129,524

PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 25, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 21, 1964 E. HAYSLETT 3,129,524

PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 25, 196i 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

a% wag Jam L. E. HAYSLETT PICTURE FRAME April '21, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 25. 1961 JW H ZZ United States Patent 3,129,524 PICTURE FRAME Lamar E. Hayslett, 405 Lafayette St., Shelbyville, Tenn. Filed Aug. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 133,946 17 Claims. (Cl. 40-152.1)

This invention relates generally to the art of picture frames and more particularly to a free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like.

Picture frames were originally conceived as decorative and protective edgings for artists canvases; and but little alteration in this concept has been made even into the present day. The primary changes which have occurred have been by way of varying the proportions and embellishment of the frame. Machine shaping has largely replaced hand carving of wooden frames; and cast, rolled and formed metal has, to a degree, supplanted wood as a picture framing material, particularly where a low cost frame has been desired. These improvements, however, have brought little, if any, adjustments in the wide disparity between the mass of the picture itself and the mass of the frame.

The advancements which have been achieved in the art of picture frames have also failed to provide any appreciable variety in the surface design or the texture of the frame whereby to meet the demands of modern interior decoration. Moreover, while free-standing picture frames have been devised for use on desks, tables and mantle pieces, the free-standing character of the prior art frames has been commonly achieved by means of a rearwardly disposed, support leg swingably mounted to the back portion of the picture frame structure. These swingable, support legs have not afforded a stable structure; and much annoyance and inconvenience has been generated by the comparative ease with which these prior art freestanding picture frames can be knocked over.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved picture frame of the free-standing type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly stable free-standing picture frame.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame which can be made from relatively thin sheet materials.

And yet another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame which can be decorated in a wide variety of ways and in a relatively inexpensive manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame which is both lightweight and rigid.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame which is susceptible of low cost machine manufacture employing folding carton techniques.

A further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame in which the picture is easily slipped into viewing position and in which the picture is firmly but releasably held.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame in which a flexible, transparent shield is maintained in a flat condition over the picture.

And a yet further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame which imparts a depth illusion to a mounted picture.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like which automatically seeks a proper viewing position.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like which is arranged so that individual units can be easily adjusted to achieve the proper viewing position.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like which is storable with the picture facing down.

3,129,524 Patented Apr. 21 1964 Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure, arrangements and materials whereby the above objects are attained.

A structure in accord with the invention includes parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of the side members including a wall element and a rocker element merging into the wall element, the rocker elements having circular basal edges; a front reinforcing member coextensive with a front portion of each of the side members, merging into the side member along a common edge; frame-defining means between the side members and sharing a common edge with each of the front reinforcing members, the frame-defining means including reinforced members, the frame-defining means including reinforced marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of the side members; a channel member situated adjacent the top marginal strip of the frame-defining means and sharing a common edge with the top marginal strip, the channel member including a pressure strip biased toward the top marginal strip to define a throat; back means between the side members parallel to the frame-defining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picturereceiving slideway, the back means including an extended portion adapted to be situated in the throat defined by the channel member; a generally semi-cylindrical bottom element situated between the rocker elements and sharing a common edge with the back means, a portion of the surface of the bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of the rocker elements; side reinforcing members corresponding in shape to a major portion of the side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of these side reinforcing members sharing a common edge with the back means and being slideable face-to-face with the side members; and a horizontal brace between the rocker elements and enclosed by the bottom element, formation of the side members, the front reinforcing member, the framedefining means, the channel member, the back means, the bottom element and the side reinforcing members being from a single piece of foldable sheet material.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of CD1 eration, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a.view taken through the section 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the fiat blank used to produce the display structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of one top corner of the frame-defining means of the invention, the view being taken from an interior position and showing completion of the first stages of folding and construction;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 6 illustrating a subsequent stage in the folding and construction;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 9 illustrating a yet subsequent stage in folding and construction;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken through the section 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a bottom corner of the frame-defining means, viewed from the interior and illustrating completion of an initial stage in the folding and construction of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view somewhat similar to the showing of FIG. but illustrating a subsequent stage in the folding and construction;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view taken through the section 12I2 of FIG. 11, there being added the picture and shield and the cooperating elements of the back means in order to reveal a portion of the picture-receiving slideway and the access throat therefor;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the frame-defining means, illustrating the final folding and assembly stage thereof;

FIG. 14 is a reduced scale, rear perspective view of the back means of the invention showing an initial stage in folding and construction;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational, central cross-sectional view of the back means;

FIG. 16 is a cut-away perspective view of the back means;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of display structure of the invention illustrating assembly of the back means and the frame-defining means;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view in side elevation of the top of the picture frame of the invention with the back means assembled to the frame-defining means and revealing the grip formed at the top end of the picture-receiving slideway, particularly illustrating the parts as they would appear when a two-piece construction is employed;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 18 but illustrating the parts as they would appear when a one-piece construction is employed;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 5 but illustrating the parts as they would appear after final assembly and with a picture mounted in the structure of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of forming blocks used in pre-stressing the marginal strips of the frame-defining means, a portion of a blank being shown in position for this purpose;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear perspective view of the blank showing the marginal strips after the first forming step;

FIG. 23 is a'view similar to the showing of FIG. 22 but illustrating completion of the second forming step;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the structure of the invention shown in an upright position for use; and

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the structure of the invention shown in a prone position for storage.

The invention, as herein described, is adapted to be used for displaying a picture such as a photographic print. However, the invention may be equally well employed for displaying other items such as calendars, printed reproductions of art paintings, kitchen recipes and appointment schedules.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1-2, a free-standing picture frame indicated generally by the numeral is shown in completely assembled form and resting on a flat, horizontal surface constituted by a table top 32. The picture frame 30 includes a left side member 34 and a right side member 36, each of the side members having a wall element 38 which merges into a rocker element 40. When the picture frame 3'!) is in use, the rocker elements 40 underlie the wall elements 38. Additionally, the rocker elements 40 are formed in a generally semi-circular shape to possess circular basal edges 42 for purposes which will become ap parent hereinafter.

A frame-defining unit 44 is situated between the side members 34 and 36 to define a picture-enclosing rectangle 46, as shown in FIG. 1; and continuing with reference to FIG. 1, front reinforcing members 48 will be seen disposed in contact with a portion of each of the side members forwardly of the frame-defining unit. A

flexible, transparent shield 50 is situated with its edges residing behind the edges of frame-defining unit 44, shield 59 providing a protective cover for the photographic print or other material which is to be displayed by the picture frame 3%. Shield 50 is advantageously fashioned from cellulose acetate or other suitable, resinous plastic film having an acceptable thickness.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the picture frame 30 will be seen also to include a back unit 52 and a bottom element 54, unit 52 and element 54 extending from one of the side members to the other. The back unit 52 includes a plate 55 having an extended portion which is received behind a channel 58 which traverses the top of the picture frame. As will also be apparent from an inspection of FIG. 2, the picture frame 3t) includes side reinforcing members 60 disposed at either side of the back plate 56. As will be brought out more fully hereinafter, the side reinforcing members 69 correspond in shape to a major portion of the side members 34 and 36 to be situatable face-to-face with these side members.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the picture frame 39 is intended to be fashioned from a single piece of foldable sheet material, a cut, scored and perforated blank for this purpose being shown in FIG. 4. Many of the foldable sheet materials used in the folding paper box industry are admirably suited to the construction of picture frame 30, among these materials being printed paper board, leather-grained cover stock and paper-metal foil laminates. Other materials suitable for use in the present invention include resinous plastic sheet, paper-plastic laminates, leather-paper laminates, and thin stiffened leather. The materials hereby listed are intended to be exemplary, the listing being by no means all-inclusive.

The blank shown in FIG. 4 is die-cut to the outline shown. Moreover, the blank is die-cut completely through along solid lines 62, 63 and 64. The blank is also die out completely through along solid lines 66, 6 8, 76 and 72 in the vicinity of frame-defining unit 44. The blank is heavily or deeply scored at broken lines 74, 76, 78, 8d, 82, 84, 86, 88, 9t and 91. These deeply scored lines provide lines where the blank is to be bent permanently in order to permit adjacent surfaces to be held in fixed relationship using adhesive. The remaining broken lines shown on the blank of FIG. 4, lines 92 and 94, indicate lines of light scoring. The lightly scored lines provide lines of resilient bending, the fibers in the blank at the lines of light scoring being disturbed only sufficiently to afford a fold line. Accordingly, when the blank is folded or bent at these lightly scored lines, in ternal stresses are set up at the line of the fold tending to exert a continuing pressure on any associated restraining member.

The blank shown in FIG. 4 is also provided with rows of perforations, specifically along the lines of small circles, lines as, 98, 10%, I02, 1&4, I06 and 108. These perforated lines also take advantage of internal fiber stresses upon bending of the blank along the perforated lines. Where the material of the blank is not disturbed between the perforations, internal stresses are set up at the fold line tending to exert a continuing pressure on associated restraining members.

The blank which is illustrated in FIG. 4 may be considered as being made up of an upper portion comprising the rear elements of the frame and a lower portion comprising the front elements, these two portions meeting at the perforated line 102; and in compliance with the invention, the blank may be assembled to form picture frame 3%) from a one-piece blank or the blank may be severed along the perforated line 102 to form two separate sub-assemblies from which the picture frame may be constructed. The following description of the assem bly and construction of the picture frame from the blank shown in FIG. 4 will be given with primary emphasis on use of the two-piece mode of construction, secondary reference being made to the one-piece construction.

The frame-defining means 44 includes marginal strips 110,, 112, 114 and 116. Inwardly of these marginal strips and sharing common edges therewith, the edges being defined by the heavily scored lines 811, are reinforcing strips 118, 120, 122 and 124. These reinforcing strips are miter cut at the lines 66, 68, 70 and 72; and whether one-piece of two-piece construction is employed, the area of the blank encompassed by these reinforcing strips is cut out and discarded.

The first stage in the folding and construction of the frame-defining means is shown in FIGS. -6. There, the reinforcing strips 120, 122 and 124 are shown folded backwardly through a full 180 degrees to come to rest against the rear of the respective marginal strips. The reinforcing strip 118 is folded in a similar manner. Advantageously, the edge of the back surface of the reinforcing strips is cemented or adhered to the abutting surface of the corresponding marginal strip, one such adherent line being shown at 12.6 in FIG. 5. Thus, when the material from which the picture frame is to be fashioned is provided with a decorative front surface, the opening for the picture is defined by finished edges at the scored lines 86.

The adhesive material used for cementing the reinforcing strips to the corresponding marginal strips and for the other cementing operations may be selected from any of the suitable adhesive materials customarily used in the folding box industry. This adhesive material may be selected to be a quick-setting material which is applied immediately prior to abutting the parts together or it may be selected to be a latex-type adhesive material which is applied or printed to each of the surfaces that it is desired to join. These latter, latex-type materials are known to adhere to other surfaces to which they have been applied but not to surfaces to which none of the adhesive material has been applied.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, an illusion of depth is given to the frarne by recessing the marginal strips. The front reinforcing members 48 which extend between the side members 34 and 36 and the vertical marginal strips 112 and 116 respectively are folded forwardly of the marginal strips along the perforated lines 98, the respective side members being thereafter folded backwardly along the heavily scored lines 82 as is particularly well shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, a bottom strip 125 shares perforated line S6 as a common edge with marginal strip 1111. Likewise, a top strip 130 shares perforated line 1111) as a common edge with marginal strip 114. Bottom strip 128 and top strip 130 are folded forwardly to meet at the upper and lower corners with the front reinforcing members 48 producing a shallow, open box effect when viewed from the front. Rear corner views of this box effect are shown in FIGS. 6 and 10.

Progressing from the perforated line 4102 in the direction of pressure strip 132, there is a skirt 134, a top plate 136 and the top strip 130, as will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6. Each of these elements shares a common edge with its adjacent members, these common edges being defined by the scored lines described hereinabove. In addition, the top plate 136 is provided with cementing tabs 138 which share common edges with the top plate as defined-by the scored lines 84. In similar manner, the skirt 134 is provided with laterally extending tabs 140' which share common edges with the skirt 134 as defined by the lines 90.

At the stage of folding and construction shown in FIG. 6, cement will be applied to the upwardly facing surfaces of top plate 136, tabs 13% and tabs 140. Thereafter, top plate 136 will be folded along line 86 into the condition shown in FIG. 7, the cemented portion of top plate 136 engaging element 130 to be adhesively connected thereto. Furthermore, tabs 138 are folded along the lines 84 to engage a surface of reinforcing member 48 for adhesive secural thereto. Then, skirt 134 will be folded along line 88 to take the position shown in FIG.

6 8, whereupon tabs '140 will be folded along lines to be secured to a surface of member 48 adjacent tabs '138. Thus is formed the channel 58 shown in FIG. 2.

'It is to be recognized that pressure strip 132 is folded beneath skirt 134, as is well shown in FIG. 9, prior to the cementing of tabs 14% to the reinforcing member 48. The angular disposition of pressure strip 132 which is illustrated in FIG. 9 occurs because the lightly scored line 92 permits the internal stresses in the fibers to remain after the fold has been made. The purpose of this angular disposition of pressure strip 132 will become more apparent hereinafter.

As mentioned hereinabove, FIG. 10 shows a portion of the shallow box efiect of the picture frame 30 as viewed from the rear toward a bottom corner. The corner itself is defined by front reinforcing member 48, bottom strip 128 and the marginal strips and 112. In accordance with a feature of the invention, a stiffening member reinforces the bottom of the picture frame by extending between the corners defined at opposite ends of the bottom strip 128. This stiffening member is adapted to take a triangular cross-section, as is shown in FIG. 12, and is comprised of the bottom strip 128, a brace element 142 and an intervening element 144. Brace element 142 and intervening element 144 share a common edge defined by the scored line 78 whereas bottom strip 123 and element 144 share a common edge defined by the scored line 76. Advantageously, the element 144 is provided with laterally extending cementing tabs 146, sharing a common edge therewith defined by the scored lines 74.

Assembly of the stiffening member proceeds from the stage of folding which is illustrated in FIG. 10. The surfaces of tabs 146 and of brace element 142 which are facing upwardly as shown, have cement applied thereto; and the brace element 142 is folded along scored line 78 through approximately 90 degrees. Intermediate element 144 is then folded upwardly along the scored line 76 somewhat less than 90 degrees, and the brace element 142 is pressed against and cemented to the back surface of marginal strip 110, approximately in edge-to-edge abutting relationship with the reinforcing strip 118, as is shown in FIG. 12. Thereafter, the tabs 146 are pressed against and cemented to the front reinforcing members 48. This stage in the assembly is illustrated in FIG. 11.

As will be seen in FIGS. 11-l2, brace element 142 is bent at a slight angle at .148 in juxtaposition with the intersection of marginal strip 110 and bottom strip 128 whereby to form one side of an outwardly flared access throat 150. The throat 150 opens into a slideway 152 for receiving a picture 154 and the transparent shield 50 as will be described more fully hereinafter. A portion of back unit 52 has been added to FIG. 12 in order to disclose the throat 150 and the slideway 152 more clearly.

Stages in the final cementing and construction of the front portion of the picture frame 30 are represented in FIG. 13. In the left-hand portion of the view, the side member 36 will be seen to have been cemented into final position. This has been accomplished in the manner which now will be described with reference to the opposite side member 34. In this procedure, cement is applied to the exposed areas of tabs and 146, to the exposed area, as seen in the drawing, of front reinforcing member 48 and to the exposed area of tab 138. The side member 34 is then hinged toward side reinforcing member 48' along the scored line 82 to confront the previously cemented areas. Side member 3 4 is then pressed firmly against these areas; and as will become apparent from an inspection of FIG. =13, the side members and their corresponding front reinforcing members are arranged to a similar shape and to reside in substantial coincidence in the completed assembly.

Construction of the back portion of the frame 30, i.e. that portion of the blank shown in FIGS. 4 above the perforated line 102, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 14-16. In the first stage of formation, shown in FIG. 14, the side reinforcing members 611 are folded inwardly along the perforated lines 1114; and the bottom element 54 is folded toward the back plate 56 along the perforated line 106, bottom element 54- being separated from side reinforcing elements tit by the cut-through lines 62 and 64 previously described. Advantageously, an assembly fixture, not shown, is employed in properly positioning the respective elements as shown in FIG. 14; and after the parts have been properly positioned, bottom element 54 is bent into generally semi-cylindrical or other suitable shape around a horizontal brace 156 as shown in FIGS. -16. The horizontal brace 156 is adhesively secured between the side reinforcing members 6%; and after bottom element 54 has been formed about the horizontal brace, beadlines of cement are employed in fastening bottom element 54 to the side reinforcing members 60.

'In furtherance of the construction of the back portion of the picture frame 30, the side reinforcing members 69 are provided with tabs v158, the tabs 158 being folded over and cemented to bottom element 54 as is shown in FIG. 16. The head line of adhesive used in securing bottom element 54 to the left side reinforcing member 6%, as viewed in FIG. 14, is shown as starting along a cement line 160 to continue into the vicinity of point 162 shown in FIG. 16 to be adjacent the tab 158. A similar beadline of cement joins the bottom element 54 to the other side reinforcing member.

With reference to FIG. 4 for the moment, bottom element 54 shares a common edge along scored line 94 with a pressure strip 164; and pressure strip 164 shares a common edge along the perforated line 108 with a cavity shield 166. As shown in FIG. 15, when the back portion of the picture frame is assembled, the cavity shield 166 and the pressure strip 164 are free to swing along the lightly scored line 4, notches 165 shown in FIG. 4 facilitating this action.

After completing the construction of the front portion of the picture frame as illustrated in FIG. 13 and following completion of the back portion of the picture frame as shown in FIG. 16, these two assemblies are joined together as illustrated in FIG. 17. Additional reference should also be had to FIG. 9. In assembling the two parts together, the extended portion of back plate 56 is first introduced into the opening beneath skirt 134, as is particularly well shown in FIG. 9. When this extended portion of back plate 56 enters the pressure throat formed between pressure strip 132 and reinforcing strip 122, the back portion of the frame can be pushed toward the front portion of the frame so that the side reinforcing members 66 reside inwardly adjacent the corresponding side members 34- and 36 in respective, face-to-face contact therewith. The side members and the side reinforcing members are arranged to possess matching outlines; and when these two sets of matching members have been assembled together with their edges coincident, there will remain between the front and the back portions of the picture frame a space for the slideway 152. extending from top to bottom of the frame. This is particularly well shown in FIG. 3.

As has been mentioned hereinabove, access to slideway 152 is gained through throat 151); and with reference again to FIG. 12, it will be seen that throat 1519 is flared toward the outer end thereof to allow easy introduction of the transparent shield 51! and the picture 154. The lightly scored line 94 acts as a hinge between permanently positioned bottom element 54 and the pressure strip 154. Internal stresses remaining in the region of the lightly scored line 94 tend to rotate the pressure strip 164 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 12 and 15 to press the cavity shield 166 against the back of reinforcing strip 118. Likewise, internal stresses remaining in the region of the perforated line 96 tend to rotate marginal strip 110 and the accompanying parts in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12. Thus, frictional contact is maintained against shield 50 and between shield 51) and picture 154 when these elements are manually pushed upward into the slideway 152 through access throat 150.

A similar frictional arrangement is also employed at the top of the picture frame, as will be observed upon reference to FIG. 18. There, skirt 134 acts as a permanently positioned member so that stresses remaining along the lightly scored line 2 tend to rotate pressure strip 132 in a counterclockwise direction against the upper rear surface of back plate 56 as viewed in the figure. Stresses remaining in the region of perforated line tend to rotate marginal strip 114 and its accompanying reinforcing strip 122 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in the figure, rearwardly against the upper front surface of the back plate 56. A frictional throat 170 is accordingly created for grippingly receiving the transparent shield 50 and the picture 154.

Since the upper or extended portion of back plate 56 must be allowed to flex under the stresses immediately hereinabove described, it is freed from any rigidity relative to the remainder of the picture frame structure by being relieved at elongated notches 172, well shown in FIGS. 4 and 16. Advantageously, a slot 174 is fashioned in back plate 56 so that the shield and picture may be grasped between a persons thumb and forefinger for directing the picture and shield into and out of the frame.

The foregoing descriptions have been given with the understanding that the blank shown in FIG. 4 has been completely severed along perforated line 102. However, it is to be recognized that the picture frame of the invention may also be formed from a one-piece blank. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 19 wherein like numerals have been used to designate like parts. The sufiix letter a has been used to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIG. 19. It will be realized that the various parts and their dimensions and functions will remain as has been hereinabove described with reference to FIGS. 1-18, the only structural difference being that, for the embodiment of FIG. 19, the back plate 56a is connected to the pressure strip 132a by the perforated line 102a. The sequence of folding the assembly operations and the use of assembly fixtures will accordingly be altered for the embodiment of FIG. 19.

As has been mentioned heretofore, a laminated material, such as a plastic-finished paper or paper board with one side printed can be employed as the starting material for the picture frame. It will become apparent from the foregoing descriptions that such a sheet material decorated on only one side can be utilized without exposing the unfinished surface on either the front or back portions of the picture frame even though the frame has been made from a single blank. This desirable feature is achieved because reverse folds are utilized at all directionally transitional edges and because of the interfitting and overlapping arrangements of the front and back portions of the frame.

A snug fit is desirably achieved between the marginal strips outlining the picture and the front surface of the transparent shield 5-9. In this regard, advantage is taken of the stresses remaining in the region of the perforated lines 98 after folding of the reinforcing strips inwardly to be secured adhesively to the corresponding marginal strips.

With reference to FIG. 20, side member 36 will be seen to have been stiffened at its back edge portion by having side reinforcing member 60 cemented thereto. Toward its front edge portion, side member 36 has been stiffened by having front reinforcing member 43 cemented thereto. Likewise, the marginal strip 116 has been stiffened by having a reinforcing strip 124 cemented to the rear surface thereof. As will be recalled, the juncture between front reinforcing member 48 and marginal strip 124 lies along the perforated line 98 at an approximately 90 degree bend. Being that alternate regions exist along the line 98 where the material has been cut through and where the material has not been disturbed, bending stresses are set up in the remaining material when a fold has been incurred along the line, these stresses tending to return the adjacent members to their original, pre-folded positions. Thus, the stiffened unit comprising marginal strip 116 and reinforcing strip 124 will be impelled to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 20 so that the fold along line 3t? presses firmly against the front surface of the transparent shield 50, shield 50, in turn, pressing picture 1154 against back plate 56 in similar fashion. The remaining marginal strips are urged into snug relationship with respect to the front surface of the transparent shield 50 in similar manner.

The frictional contact provided at the marginal strips adds to that already existing in frictional access throats 150 and 170; and the necessity for providing special fasteners to hold the transparent shield 50 and the picture 154 securely in the frame is thereby eliminated.

This firm grasp of the picture and its transparent shield can be enhanced by pre-stressing the marginal strips, and a modified procedure for cementing the reinforcing strips to their corresponding marginal strips so as to introduce inwardly operating stresses at the periphery of the framing rectangle will now be described with reference to FIGS. 21-23. The arrangement of FIGS. 21-23 is similar in many respects to the arrangement of FIGS. 1-18. Accordingly, like numerals have been used to designate like parts, the sufiix letter b having been used to distinguish those elements of the picture frame which are associated with the arrangement of FIGS. 21-23.

In accordance with the modified procedure of FIGS. 21-23, a pair of cylindrically shaped, mating, forming blocks, blocks 18% and 182 are employed. Specifically, cement is applied to the inner or rear surfaces of one set of oppositely disposed reinforcing strips, for example strips 1219b and 1124b. Thereafter, the reinforcing strips are folded over into contact with the adjacent marginal strips, strips 11212 and 1161: respectively; and the blank is placed between the forming blocks 180 and 182, as shown in FIG. 21. The concave face 184 of block 180 is then brought to bear on the blank which is resting on the convex surface 186 of block 182, the blocks 180 and 182 being thereupon urged toward each other until the adhesive or cement has set. When the blank is removed from the forming blocks, it will tend to maintain the permanent curvature established during this first forming operation. A blank having this first stage of permanent curvature is shown in FiG. 22. It is important to observe that the curvature taken by the marginal strips 11% and 11622 is largely limited to the strips themselves since adjacent elements are flexibly connected either by means of scored lines or by means of perforated lines. Thus, these adjacent elements tend to remain flat.

The second stage in the pre-stressing is achieved by applying adhesive or cement to the rear surface of the remaining pair of reinforcing strips, strips 1221) and 118b, the reinforcing strips being thereafter folded over into contact with the corresponding marginal strips, strips 11417 and 11%. The blank is then positioned between blocks 1% and 182, being rotated 90 degrees relative to its former position between the blocks. It will be noted in this latter regard, that the cylindrical curvature of the forming blocks is arranged to correspond with the lengthwise dimension of the marginal strips being prestressed.

After the cement has set and the reinforcing strips 11% and 1221; are secured to their corresponding marginal strips, the blank is removed from the forming blocks, the blank appearing as shown in FIG. 23. It will be noted that the pre-stressing of strips 1110b and 11% tends to straighten out the curvature which the blank took after the first forming step. It has been found that minor distortions may occur at the corners of the marginal strips after they have been pre-stressed as described immediately hereinabove. However, these distortions disappear upon complete assembly and construction of the picture frame.

As will become apparent, the stresses thus introduced in the marginal strips will cause the strips to press firmly against the transparent shield 51 when it is inserted in the picture frame. Moreover, since the stresses introduced in the forming operations hereinabove described are introduced in flexible members, these members will tend to follow irregularities in the surface of the shield.

The thinness and flexibility of the material from which the picture frame of the invention is constructed requires that structural rigidity be enhanced. This is done in a number of different ways. First, double thicknesses of material are used wherever possible, either by reverse folding of the material or by overlapping pieces of material cemented together. In this regard, it has been found that a sandwich-like arrangement incorporating an adhesive layer between two thicknesses of material has greater stiffness than a single piece of material having double thickness. Folding, also tends to add stiffness or rigidity to the structure. Additionally, generous use of T-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped and channel sections adds structural rigidity to the frame. The three-dimensional character of the frame lends further rigidity.

Under extreme circumstances, utilization of a brace such as the horizontal brace 156 will be required to prevent yawing of the top of the frame about the vertical axis thereof. Horizontal brace 156 may take the form of a paper tube, a plastic molding or other suitable element capable of delivering the required flexural resistance. A wooden dowel has also proved eminently suitable for use as the horizontal brace 156, a wooden dowel affording ease of machining and a porous end grain that readily takes adhesive. As will be recognized, the diameter and length of the wooden dowel should be selected so that the ends of the dowel can be easily fastened to the side reinforcing members 60.

The picture frame 30 is intended to be a completely free-standing structure; and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure is intended to take a position with the front portion inclined at a slight upward angle as is shown in FIG. 24. The angle shown has been found to be an optimum viewing angle.

The structure herein described and illustrated has been arranged so that the upright equilibrium position develops the desired viewing angle. Therefore, advantage can be obtained by selecting the brace 156 to exhibit an appreciable mass relative to the remainder of the picture frame .30, as for example when a wooden dowel has been selected for the brace. In extreme situations, such as might exist when the frame is very tall compared to its width, it may be necessary to employ a brace with a greater density than is exhibited by wood. Alternatively, a method which will be hereinafter described may be employed for increasing the effective mass of the wooden brace. As will be recognized, provision of the horizontal brace in a form offering substantial mass causes the picture frame 30 to exhibit a rapidly self-righting character upon accidental tilting.

In order to disclose a preferred method of increasing the effective mass of horizontal brace 156 when the brace takes the form of a Wooden dowel, reference will again be had to FIG. 15. There the brace 156 will be seen fashioned from wood and Will be seen to have an eccentric bore 1% drilled lengthwise through it. A balance weight 192 is inserted in the bore 190, and common sand has been found to be useful for the balance Weight 192.

It is desired to provide bore with a maximum eccentricity in order to situate the center of mass of the picture frame 30 as low as possible. However, bore 190 should not be positioned so close to the periphery of brace 156 that machining actually breaks through the outer Wall of the brace. Furthermore and if desired, the mass of the unit may be lowered still further by removing material from the brace 156 above the bore 190. This can be achieved by fashioning a cavity, such as the cavity 194, in an appropriate position in the brace.

It is to be recognized that almost any viewing angle is possible by arranging the mass of brace 156 to be large relative to the frame and by positioning the weight so that the desired angle is obtained. Such a situation, however, can result in a rather delicate balance of forces. In this balance of forces, the line of contact of the side members with a horizontal surface defines a fulcrum, the horizontal component of the distance between this fulcrum and the center of gravity of the brace being one arm of the balance and the horizontal component of the distance between the fulcrum and the center of gravity of the remainder of the frame being the other arm of the balance. Small manufacturing variations in either the frame itself or in the horizontal brace can, under these circumstances, vary the viewing angle considerably.

The present invention is intended to avoid such delicate balance situations, and this has been done by situating the center of gravity of the frame alone, i.e. without the horizontal brace, directly over the fulcrum achieved with the mounting surface. This reduces one of the balance arms to a zero value. Similarly, the other balance arm is reduced to a zero value by situating the center of gravity of the horizontal brace vertically over the fulcrum.

With reference to FIG. 24, a fulcrum axis 2% will be seen passing through the center of gravity 202 of brace 156 and through the point of contact 2%- that the side member 36 makes with surface 32. The optimum viewing angle is shown as angle 2%, line 298 representing the plane of the picture.

It will be apparent from an inspection of opposing areas on either side of axis 260, assuming uniform crosssection of the material, that the frame 30 will possess greater mass to the right of axis 200, particularly in the upper regions of the frame, thus tending to cause the frame to rotate in a generally clockwise direction as viewed in the figure, in the absence of means for reducing the mass of the frame to the right of the fulcrum axis 290 and/or for increasing the mass to the left of the axis 2%.

Referring momentarily to FIG. 14, weight-reducing holes 210 will be seen provided in the back plate 56 for reducing the mass of the frame to the right of fulcrum axis 209 as viewed in FIG. 24. In similar manner, a counterbalance 212 shown in FIG. 12, can be added to the left of the fulcrum axis by insertion in the triangular cavity formed between elements 123, 142 and 144. Under some circumstances, it will be desired to reduce the mass of the picture frame 39 to the left of fulcrum axis 2% as viewed in FIG. 24; and such may be accomplished by means of cutting holes 214 in shield 166, as is shown in FIG. 16.

The pictures to be inserted in the picture frame 30 will be of various weights depending upon the nature of the picture and/ or the weight of the photographic print paper employed. The frame 36 will be required to maintain the same viewing angle regardless of the picture weight, and this requirement will be met only if no imbalance occurs when different weight pictures are used. Such a condition exists only when the center of gravity of the picture is arranged to reside directly vertically over the fulcrum point 2%. For this reason, the fulcrum axis 2% is desirably arranged to pass through the center of gravity of the picture.

Accordingly, it will be recognized that the optimum geometry for the picture frame 30 requires the centers of gravity of the horizontal brace, of any balance weight in the brace and of the remainder of the frame to lie on a vertical line which also passes through the center of gravity of the picture, through the center of curvature of the rocker elements of the side members and through the fulcrum point 264. Under these conditions, the viewing angle taken by the picture frame 39 will not be critically influenced by variations of the balance weight mass in excess of that'necessary to right the frame to the desired viewing position after the position has been disturbed.

It is to be pointed out that the balance weight within the horizontal brace 156 may be shifted slightly to compensate for any slight variations in material thickness and weight. If desired, a locating notch may be provided in the surface of brace 156 to engage an adjustable locating lug on an assembly fixture for proper positioning to compensate for these weight variations.

It is sometimes desired to turn a picture face down on a table top or to store it in such a condition rather than in a free-standing condition. Accordingly, means have been provided for rearranging the picture frame of the instant invention for such use.

In FIG. 25, a modified form of the picture frame is shown in solid outline, the form of the invention shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1-18 being shown in broken outline for comparison. Like numerals have been used to designate like parts in FIG. 25, the sufiix letter 0 being used to distinguish those elements associated wtih the modified embodiment. The picture frame 300 is shown lying face down on surface 320 with the leading edge of side member 36C contacting the horizontal surface. A fulcrum point 220 exists where the curved basal edge 42c intersects the leading edge 222. As will be seen in the figure, a vertical line 224 drawn through the fulcrum point 220 resides to the right of the center gravity of the horizontal brace 1560. This arrangement permits the picture frame 300 to take a stable condition lying with its face down as shown.

By comparison, the arrangement of the picture shown in broken outline establishes a fulcrum point 226; and a vertical line 228 drawn through fulcrum 226 will be seen to reside to the left of the center of gravity of horizontal brace 156. This latter arrangement defines a situation in which the gravitational forces acting to the right of line 228 are superior to those acting to the left of the line so that the frame 30 is self-righting from a position with the leading edge of the side members lying in contact with the surface 32.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart rocker elements; frame-defining means between said elements; back means between said rocker elements parallel to said frame-defining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway; a bottom element between said rocker elements, said rocker elements, said frame-defining means, said back means and said bottom element being formed from a single piece of foldable sheet material; and a horizontal brace of substantial mass relative to the mass of the remainder of said structure secured in said structure between said rocker elements and enclosed by said bottom element at or below the rocking center of the remainder of said structure and rearwardly of the plane defined by said slideway.

2. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal brace includes a balance weight member eccentrically disposed therein.

3. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of said members including a wall element and a rocker element merging into said wall element, said rocker elements having curved basal edges; front reinforcing members, each of which is coextensive with a front portion of one of said side members, merging into said side member along a common edge; frame-defining means between said side members and sharing a common edge with each of said front reihforcing members, said frame-defining means including marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of said side members; back means between said side members parallel to said frame-defining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway; a bottom element between said rocker elements and sharing a common edge with said back means, a portion of the surface of said bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of said rocker elements; and side reinforcing members corresponding in shape to a major portion of said side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of said side reinforcing members sharing a common edge with said back means and being slidable face-to-face with said side members.

4. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 3 wherein said side members define a fulcrum axis at the front leading edges thereof and wherein the center of gravity of said structure is disposed with respect to said fulcrum axis so that said structure defines a stable, face-down condition for storage and defines a self-righting condition when situated generally erect.

5. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of said members including a wall element and a rocker element emerging into said wall element, said rocker elements having circular basal edges; front reinforcing members each of which is coextensive with a front portion of one of said side members, merging into said side member along a common edge and adhesively secured face-to-face to said side member; frame-defining means between said side members and sharing a common edge with each of said front reinforcing members, said frame-defining means including marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of said side members; back means between said side members parallel to said frame-defining means spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway; a generally semi-cylindrical bottom element between said rocker elements and sharing a common edge with said back means, a portion of the surface of said bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of the said rocker elements; and side reinforcing members corresponding in shape to a major portion of said side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of said side reinforcing members sharing a common edge with said back means and being slidable face-to-face with said side members.

6. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of said side members including a wall element and rocker element merging into said wall element, said rocker elements having curved basal edges; front reinforcing members each of which is coextensive with a front portion of one of said side members, merging into said side member along a common edge; frame-defining means between said side members and sharing a common edge with each of said front reinforcing members, said frame-defining means including reinforced marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of said side members; a tubular stiffening member situated adjacent the bottom marginal strip of said framedefining means, said stiffening member sharing a common edge with said bottom marginal strip; back means between said side members parallel to said frame-defining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway; a bottom element between said rocker elements and sharing a common edge with said back means, a portion of the surface of said bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of said rocker elements; side reinforcing member corresponding in shape to a major portion of said side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of said reinforcing members sharing a common edge with said back means and being slidable face-to-face with said side members; a horizontal brace between said rocker elements and enclosed by said bottom element; and stress developing means acting on said marginal strips whereby to cause said members to grip a sheet-like element inserted in said slideway in contact with said marginal strips.

7. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 5 wherein said stressdeveloping means include reinforcing strips adhesively secured to said marginal strips and sharing a common edge therewith, said reinforcing strips and the corresponding marginal strips being pre-stressed in pairs in perpendicularly disposed curvilinear directions.

8. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 5 wherein said tubular stiffening member is of triangular cross-section and wherein one side of said stiffening member shares a common edge with said bottom marginal strip.

9. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of said members including a wall element and a rocker element merging into said wall element, said rocker elements having curved basal edges; front reinforcing members each of which is coextensive with a front portion of one of said side members merging into said side member along a common edge; frame-defining means between said side members and sharing a common edge with each of said front reinforcing members said frame-defining means including marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of said side members; a channel member situated adjacent the top marginal strip of said frame-defining means, said channel member sharing a common edge with said top marginal strip and including a pressure strip biased toward said top marginal strip to define a throat; back means between said side members parallel to said framedefining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to de fine a picture-receiving slideway, said back means including an extended portion adapted to be situated in said throat; a bottom element between said rocker elements and sharing a common edge with said back means, a portion of the surface of said bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of said rocker elements; and side reinforcing members corresponding in shape to a major portion of said side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of said side reinforcing member sharing a common edge with said back means and being slidable face-to-face with said side members.

10. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart side members, each of said members including a wall element and a rocker element merging into said wall element, said rocker elements having curved basal edges; front reinforcing members each of which is coextensive with a front portion of one of said side members, merging into said side member along a common edge; frame-defining means between said side members and sharing a common edge with each of said front reinforcing members, said frame-defining means including marginal strips spaced inwardly from the front edges of said side members; a tubular stiffening member of triangular cross-section situated adjacent the bottom marginal strip of said frame-defining means, one side of said stiffening member sharing a common edge with said bottom marginal strip; a channel member situated adjacent the top marginal strip of said frame-defining means, said channel member sharing a common edge with said top marginal strip and including a pressure strip biased toward said top marginal strip to define a throat; back means between said side members parallel to said framedefining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway, said back means including an extended portion adapted to be situated in said throat; a curvilinear bottom element between said rocker elements and sharing a common edge with said back means, a portion of the surface of said bottom element corresponding with at least a portion of the basal edges of said rocker elements; side reinforcing members corresponding in shape to a major portion of said side members for situation in reinforcing relationship therewith, each of side reinforcing members sharing a common edge with said back means and being slidable face-to-face with said side members; a horizontal brace between said rocker elements and enclosed by said bottom element, said side members, said front reinforcing members, said framedefining means, said tubular stifiening member, said channel member, said back means, said bottom element and said side reinforcing members being formed from foldable sheet material.

11. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 wherein said foldable sheet material comprises a single blank and wherein said structure exclusive of said brace incorporates reverse folds at all directionally transitional edges, said blank being decorated on only one side, said reverse folds being arranged to expose only said decorated side to view in the finished article.

12. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 wherein said sheet material comprises a single, one-piece blank.

13. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 wherein said sheet material comprises a single, two-piece blank.

14. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 wherein said back means includes at least one selectively removable portion for adjusting the balance of said structure.

15. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 wherein said back means includes a slot for manual access to a picture received in said slideway :for inserting and removing said picture from said structure.

16. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like according to claim 10 and further including means adhesively securing said side reinforcing members to said bottom element, said tubular stiffening member to said front reinforcing members, said channel member to said front reinforcing members, said side members to said front reinforcing members and said brace to said side reinforcing members.

17. A free-standing structure for displaying a picture or the like, said structure comprising: parallel-disposed, spaced apart rocker elements; frame-defining means between said elements; back means between said rocker elements parallel to said frame-defining means and spaced rearwardly therefrom to define a picture-receiving slideway; a curvilinear bottom element between said rocker elements; and a horizontal brace between said rocker elements and enclosed by said bottom element, the center of gravity of said brace and the center of gravity of the remainder of said structure taken independently falling on a line which passes through the center of curvature of the rocking circle of said rocker elements, the line which is defined thereby passing through the geometric center of the framed opening of said frame-defining means whereby to optimize the viewing angle normally taken by said structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,203 Sanborn Dec. 17, 1929 1,972,024 Lewis Aug. 28, 1934 2,748,515 aiserman June 5, 1956 

1. A FREE-STANDING STRUCTURE FOR DISPLAYING A PICTURE OR THE LIKE, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING; PARALLEL-DISPOSED, SPACED APART ROCKER ELEMENTS; FRAME-DEFINING MEANS BETWEEN SAID ELEMENTS; BACK MEANS BETWEEN SAID ROCKER ELEMENTS PARALLEL TO SAID FRAME-DEFINING MEANS AND SPACED REARWARDLY THERFROM TO DEFINE A PICTURE-RECEVING SLIDEWAY; A BOTTOM ELEMENT BETWEEN SAID ROCKER ELEMENTS, SAID ROCKER ELEMENTS, SAID FRAME-DEFINING MEANS, SAID BACK MEANS AND SAID BOTTOM ELEMENT BEING FORMED FROM A SINGLE PIECE OF FOLDABLE SHEET MATERIAL; AND A HORIZONTAL BRACE OF SUBSTANTIAL MASS RELATIVE TO THE MASS OF THE REMAINDER OF SAID STRUCTURE SECURED IN SAID STRUCTURE BETWEEN SAID ROCKE ELEMENTS AND ENCLOSED BY SAID BOTTOM OF SAID STRUCTURE AND REARWARDLY OF THE PLANE DEFINED BY SAID SLIDEWAY. 